Eternal bliss

[Whateverist]

First I want to point out that if a Christian is only following Jesus in this life for the sole purpose of attaining paradise, he/she is probably going about it the wrong way. We should be following Jesus because Jesus is good, and we desire goodness for it's own sake.

First, I agree with you that prostituting one self in whatever way is required to gain admittance is unseemly.  But more interesting to me is the matter of why one follows Jesus.  There can be no better reason for following Jesus than the one you give.  But if following someone known to be good is required to attain the goodness we desire for its own sake, I have to wonder who Jesus followed.  If Jesus didn't follow anyone, and we're sincere about wanting to do it his way, perhaps true following should omit imitation.  If Jesus' way was to follow his own conscience, then anyone wishing to follow might want to start there.

Even if Heaven didn't exist at all, as humans, most of us naturally have a certain attraction and admiration towards that which is good.

As for what the afterlife will be like, exactly, that I don't know. It is a matter of faith. But we can deduce that IF God does in fact exist, and if God truly is goodness and love, then being completely consumed within Him will be the ultimate fulfillment.

We have this in common.  I find nature and the biosphere to be truly good.  When I die I hope for every speck of my body to be consumed by nature and find a home in the body of some other creature.  I only hope no lion or bacteria takes too big a bite prematurely; I'd prefer natural causes followed by consumption by nature.

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LR, you hijack and ruin every thread you touch.

Lol. Yes but only because people let him. I would just ignore completely.

I think that is great advice.  I'd suggest that anyone who wants to discuss this thread seriously first place Rik on ignore.  Then, when you want to enjoy some Rik inspired humor, take him back off ignore and look for him in one of his favorite threads.